The Grey God

"I'm going to return this, and that'll be the end of this mess," he replied, placing the necklace in his pocket. He focused on his senses to pick up the location of the Other that had been in the wine cellar. Satisfied he could find it, Darian started towards the door.

"Darian."

He turned at her voice.

"Thank you." Jenn looked calm, but she was squeezing and releasing her fists in a sign that she was ready to explode.

Darian held her dark gaze. "Everyone in this room knew something I didn't about this. How is that possible?"

"Not everyone."

"What is it you all are keeping from me?"

Jenn drew a deep breath. "A choice. I'm going back to Jonny's."

"Jenn, I'm done with this shit. You've been acting strange towards me for days now. I want my friend back."

"That's not possible, Darian."

"Tell me why."

"The first lesson I taught Jonny was that those people closest to his target were vulnerabilities. The more people there were, the more liabilities. I will not be a vulnerability the Others can exploit," she said.

"You underestimate my ability to protect these liabilities, as you call them," he said, irritated with her words. "I'm not the lost soul I was, in need of others to make decisions for me. I decide who I want to be around, not you or anyone else."

"Very well. Then maybe I don't want anything to do with you."

"That can't be true."

"Why not? You've changed. My duty was to take care of you. You're fine now, and it's time for me to move onto the next mission," she insisted.

"I thought you were better at lying."

"Women like me are much better at seducing men into agreeing with me," she said.

"Then seduce me." He didn't flinch this time, suspecting she was purposely trying to push the Claire button to manipulate him.

"No, Darian, I'm not going to do it."

"Coward. You say you want nothing to do with me. Convince me." Darian crossed his arms. "If you can do it, I'll do as you ask and walk away."

"Easy." Jenn ran her fingers through her hair, tousling it. As if a switch inside her was flipped, her tense movements disappeared, replaced by the graceful, supple movements of a cat. "You don't think I can do it." Her voice had lowered into a husky purr.